Incumbent emphasizes community perspective and experience
Port Coquitlam Coun. Paige Petriw has formally entered the race for a second term on council, saying her four years in office have helped her find a voice and shape the city’s priorities. The announcement makes Petriw the third sitting councillor to seek re-election on the Oct. 17 municipal ballot.
Petriw, who serves as council designate for Events, Celebrations, Community Experience and Inclusion, described her first term as an opportunity to bring what she called a different perspective to local government. In a news release cited by Freshet News, she framed her candidature around her identity and experience: a millennial, a parent, a small-business owner and a resident invested in Port Coquitlam’s future.
“In 2022, I ran because I believed council would benefit from a different perspective — as a millennial, a mom, a small business owner and someone deeply invested in the future of this community. Four years later, my experience on council is proof of that. I’ve learned a tremendous amount, I’ve found my voice and I’ve proven I can make a difference. And I’m just getting started.”
In her release, Petriw cited what she described as achievements during her term, noting that council has maintained “some of the lowest property taxes in Metro Vancouver” while advancing investments in roads, parks, recreation facilities and neighbourhood infrastructure.
What this means for the Oct. 17 election
Petriw’s re-entry sets up a contest that already includes two other incumbents who have declared they are running again: Coun. Nancy McCurrach and Coun. Steve Darling. Petriw’s announcement clarifies that at least three sitting councillors will be on the ballot, a factor voters often consider when weighing continuity and change at the local level.
Also standing for council are a group of challengers, listed in alphabetical order by Freshet News:
- Soloman Etuk
- Mithila Karnik-Adarkar
- Dehara Thompson
How voters respond to Petriw’s emphasis on events, inclusion and local investment will help shape the council’s approach to managing growth, community programming and infrastructure spending in the coming term.
Incumbency, council roles and local priorities
Petriw’s portfolio on council — centred on celebrations, community experience and inclusion — signals a focus on public-facing programs as part of municipal governance. Events and cultural programming can be important drivers of downtown activity, neighbourhood cohesion and small-business support; how they are funded and delivered is often debated in council chambers and public forums.
Petriw’s statement about keeping taxes relatively low while making infrastructure investments touches on a familiar municipal tension: balancing affordability with capital needs. For Port Coquitlam residents, that balance affects property tax levels, the state of local roads and parks, and the availability of recreation facilities.
| Candidate | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| Paige Petriw | Yes |
| Nancy McCurrach | Yes |
| Steve Darling | Yes |
| Soloman Etuk | No |
| Mithila Karnik-Adarkar | No |
| Dehara Thompson | No |
That list reflects the slate of candidates named in local coverage; further nominations may yet appear before the close of nominations. Residents who want ongoing coverage of municipal races in the Tri-Cities, Burnaby and New Westminster are being directed by local media to follow election tabs on their websites.
Questions for voters and next steps
With less than two months until voting day, Petriw’s campaign will likely focus on communicating how her first-term record ties to future plans for neighbourhood infrastructure, events and tax policy. Voters will weigh continuity against fresh perspectives among the challengers.
Petriw has provided a campaign website for further details on her re-election bid. Municipal issues such as property taxes, parks investment and downtown activity are expected to feature prominently in debates and public forums between now and Oct. 17.
Port Coquitlam residents can expect an intensifying municipal campaign season as candidates outline platforms, attend community events and seek endorsements in the weeks ahead.
